Reacting to the severe flooding and landslides in Kinshasa, which claimed 120 lives on 12 and 13 December and left thousands homeless, Flavia Mwangovya, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns in East Africa, Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes regions said:
Amnesty International sends its condolences to all those affected by the recent flooding and landslides in Kinshasa
Flavia Mwangovya, Deputy Regional Director Campaigns, East Africa, Horn of Africa and Great Lakes Region
“Amnesty International sends its condolences to all those affected by the recent flooding and landslides in Kinshasa. It is absolutely devastating that such tragic losses of human life occur so often in the DRC after natural disasters strike the country.
“The DRC authorities must urgently assist those affected by the flooding and landslides, and ensure they can access food, housing, and health care. They must also take steps to ensure Kinshasa is better planned and well-resourced and prepared to deal with natural disasters.
“Climate change is known to exacerbate extreme weather events. The DRC authorities, however, have failed to learn from previous disasters, which means these catastrophes continue to have a shocking, fatal impact on the residents of Kinshasa.
Authorities must take steps to ensure Kinshasa is better planned and well-resourced and prepared to deal with natural disasters.
Flavia Mwangovya
The right to live in a safe, clean and sustainable environment must be protected and upheld.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
